Who We Help

If your particular situation is not defined below, we recommend doing an Internet search using words “military pet fostering” to determine other groups/organizations (national, state, and local levels) providing similar military pet fostering services and who may have available resources to assist with your particular situation.

Deployments

Active Duty: single and dual military couples whose units have received deployment orders related to a combat or peacekeeping or humanitarian mission. (Foster term up to 1 year)

Family of Deploying Service Member: assistance related to a majormedical situation (e.g., MS, Autism, spouse or child wheelchair bound) within the immediate family that would have an impact for the family to care for their beloved pet during the spouse’s deployment. (Foster Term – same as deployment term)

Hardships

Wounded Warrior: assistance related to a medical situation (combat injuries, TBI, PTSD, Cancer or other major medical issues) by working with the various VA medical assigned representatives (mentor, counselor, social work, etc.), military medical facility (assigned Primary Case Manager) or the military Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) or Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) program. (Foster Term between 2 – 12 months dependent on situation)

Military Family PCS: out of the country including Hawaii and taking their pet(s) with them, but due to airline restrictions (weather related) or regulations related to shots and quarantine requirements pet(s) are unable to travel at the same time as military service members. (Foster Term between 3-6 months)

Fallen Warriors:Families impacted by the loss of a loved one who has paid the ultimate sacrifice (KIA or Suicide related) and is being supported through a “Survivors Outreach Services” (SOS) or “Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors: (TAPS) representative feels with everything unexpected happening at the moment they are unable to properly care for the MSM/family pet or pets may need our assistance. At the end of the foster term the family needs to pick up the pet or pets whether at that time they decide to keep the pet or pets or surrender the pet or pets. (Foster Term up to 3 months)

Situations We Are Unable to Assist Pet Owner

Individuals joining the Armed Forces going to Basic and Advanced Training as they are not considered an Active Duty Military Service Member until after graduation from AIT and officially assigned to a specific military installation

DOD Employees/Independent Contractors who have accepted positions out of country, though they may be considered as supporting the deployed troops.

Families PCSing out of country that have chosen not to take their pets with them where the PCS with a tour of duty longer than 1 year in duration.

With the above situations we recommend doing an Internet search using words “military pet fostering” to determine other groups/organizations (national, state, and local levels) providing similar military pet fostering services and who may have available resources to assist with your particular situation.

From One MSM

WELL LET ME START BY SAYING, GUARDIANS ANGELS IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST ORGANIZATION AVAILABLE, TO NOT ONLY HELP SOLDIERS, BUT HELP PEOPLE HELP SOLDIERS. MY DOG, JASPER WAS WITH AN AMAZING FOSTER FAMILY! HIS FOSTER MOM NOT ONLY TREATED HIM LIKE HER OWN BUT SHE GAVE ME PEACE OF MIND SO I COULD FOCUS ON THE TASKS AT HAND AND NOT IF MY DOG WAS OKAY OR NOT. SHE MADE HIM A FACEBOOK PAGE SO I COULD FOLLOW HIS ADVENTURES AND TOOK HIM PLACES AND DID THINGS WITH HIM THAT I PROBABLY NEVER WOULD HAVE. NOW NOT ONLY DOES JASPER HAVE A LIFE LONG FRIEND BUT SO DO I. THANKS TO CAROL, JOHN AND GUARDIANS ANGELS. WITH OUT YOU MY DEPLOYMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNBEARABLE! - HOLLY, SPECIALIST, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD